Functional unit for a vehicle interior

ABSTRACT

A functional unit for a vehicle interior has a dimensionally stable functional profile including two mutually opposite end regions which are arranged in a longitudinally movable manner along profiled guide structures arranged in the vehicle interior. Provision is made for each end region to be provided with at least one rolling element, which is mounted on the end region in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one axis of rotation such that, during a longitudinal movement of the end region, the rolling element rolls along at least one surface region of the associated profiled guide structure. The functional unit is used for loading-space coverings in passenger vehicles.

The following disclosure is based on German Patent Application No. 1020204 008 874.8 filed Feb. 18, 2004, which is incorporated into thisapplication by explicit reference.

The invention relates to a functional unit for a vehicle interior,having a dimensionally stable functional profile which has two mutuallyopposite end regions which are arranged in a longitudinally movablemanner in profiled guide structures arranged in the vehicle interior.

A functional unit of this type for a vehicle interior is known ingeneral in the form of a loading-space covering for station wagons. Aloading-space covering of this type has a covering tarpaulin which isheld in a manner such that it can be wound up and unwound on a windingshaft mounted in a cassette housing. On its end region which is in frontin the extension direction, the covering tarpaulin is provided with adimensionally stable extension bar which has end regions protrudinglaterally over the side edges of the covering tarpaulin. The end regionscan be positioned in guide rails laid horizontally just below a sillline of the vehicle interior, and, in the longitudinal direction ofthese guide rails, can be displaced transversely with respect to alongitudinal axis of the extension rod and are therefore arranged in alongitudinally movable manner. As a result, it is possible to guide theextension rod in a defined manner during an extension or retractionmovement of the covering tarpaulin. Longitudinal movements, i.e. inparticular displacement movements, lead, between the end regions of theextension rod and the guide rails in the vehicle interior, to a slidingresistance which increases the manual operating forces when extendingthe covering tarpaulin.

It is the object of the invention to provide a functional unit of thetype mentioned at the beginning which permits a smooth-runninglongitudinal movement of the functional profile within the profiledguide structures.

This object is achieved in that each end region is provided with atleast one rolling element, which is mounted on the end region in amanner such that it can rotate about at least one axis of rotation suchthat, during a longitudinal movement of the end region, the rollingelement rolls along at least one surface region of the associatedprofiled guide structure. Those running surfaces on each profiled guidestructure that come into contact with the at least one rolling elementare, in particular, to be regarded as the surface regions of theprofiled guide structures. In particular, guide rails, guide grooves orother linear profiled structures which are arranged rectilinearly and/orin a curved manner in the vehicle interior, preferably on lateralboundary surfaces of the vehicle interior, are provided as the profiledguide structures. The profiled guide structures may be seated oncorresponding boundary surfaces or else may be integrated into theseboundary surfaces. Corresponding profiled guide structures arepreferably integrated into paneling parts of vehicle body pillars andextend above and/or below or level with a vehicle sill edge. Profiledguide structures are preferably provided in the region of body D-pillarsand, approximately level with a vehicle sill edge, extend along thesebody D-pillars, in each case integrated in D-pillar paneling parts, inthe direction of a roof lining of the vehicle interior. The solutionaccording to the invention makes it possible for the functional profileto be moved in an extremely smooth-running manner in the profiled guidestructures. Owing to the fact that the functional profile is no longerguided in a sliding manner, but rather in a rollable manner in theprofiled guide structures, in addition to the reduced resistance also areduced production of noise can be achieved. The rolling elements arepreferably mounted rotatably in each case about an individual axis ofrotation. Wheels, rollers, cylinders or ball and also other types ofrotatable bodies are provided as the rolling elements. It is possible,as rolling elements, to provide balls which mounted in a ball cage or aball socket in a manner such that they can rotate in all degrees offreedom and therefore about all spatial axes of rotation.

In a refinement of the invention, a plurality of elements havingmutually parallel or orthogonal axes of rotation are provided on eachend region and are assigned in each case to different spatial surfaceregions in each profiled guide structure to provide a supporting rollingbearing. These rolling elements are therefore offset with respect to oneanother. The rolling elements do not have to bear simultaneously andover the entire length of the particular profiled guide structureagainst the different spatial surface regions. On the contrary, just apartial bearing in the region of different travel sections of theprofiled guide structures is also possible. The simultaneous, supportingbearing of at least two rolling elements on mutually spaced-apartsurface regions of each profiled guide structure, which regions arepreferably designed as boundary surfaces of the profiled guidestructure, permits a divisionally accurate, play-free positive guidanceof the functional profile over a corresponding travel section of theprofiled guide structures. The profiled guide structures are preferablyarranged on opposite boundary sides of the vehicle interior and areoriented parallel to one another. The axes of rotation of the rollingelements are preferably oriented coaxially or parallel to a centrallongitudinal axis of the functional profile.

In a further refinement of the invention, at least one rolling elementis arranged on the end side of the end region. A rolling element of thistype is therefore arranged as an extension of the particular end region.

In a further refinement of the invention, at least one rolling elementis arranged on the longitudinal side of the end region. A rollingelement of this type preferably does not protrude over the end side ofthe end region and is arranged on the side of the end region. In eachcase, the rolling elements are oriented in such a manner that they areoriented along the directions of movement of the functional profile inorder, during a corresponding longitudinal movement of the functionalprofile, to permit the desired rolling movements.

In a further refinement of the invention, at least one end region isarranged in a manner such that it can be displaced telescopically alonga longitudinal axis of the functional profile. In a further refinementof the invention, a supporting-force device acts on the end region in atleast one axial direction of the longitudinal axis of the profile. Theserefinements permit the end regions to be guided along profiles of theprofiled guide structures that are curved in the plane of movement ofthe functional profile. As soon as the opposite profiled guidestructures change their distance from one another during the course ofthe guide movement, the width of the functional profile is inevitablyadapted by corresponding displacement of at least one end region. Thesupporting-force device serves to permit a permanent, end-side bearingof the end regions in order to be able to immediately detectcorrespondingly changing profiles of the profiled guide structures and,using a positive-guidance means, to bring about the adaptation.

Further advantages and features emerge from the claims and from thedescription below of preferred exemplary embodiments of the inventionwhich are illustrated with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows, schematically in a perspective illustration, an embodimentof a functional unit according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows, in an enlarged, perspective illustration, a detail of thefunctional unit according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows, in a further enlarged illustration and schematically, across section through a functional profile of the functional unitaccording to FIGS. 1 and 2, and

FIG. 4 shows, in a perspective illustration, a detail of a furtherfunctional unit similar to FIGS. 1 to 3.

A vehicle interior for a motor vehicle, in the present case for apassenger vehicle having a steep rear, has a loading space 1 which isarranged behind a rear seat bench of a person-conveying region of thevehicle interior. The loading space can be expanded forward bydisplacing or folding over a backrest arrangement of the rear set bench.As a functional unit in the form of a loading-space covering, a coveringtarpaulin 2 is provided which has a flexible surface structure which isheld in a manner such that it can be wound up and unwound on a windingshaft mounted rotatably in a cassette housing. A restoring spring actson the winding shaft in a manner basically known and subjects thewinding shaft to spring force in the winding-up direction. In theunloaded state, the covering tarpaulin 2 is therefore transferred intoits rest position wound up in the cassette housing. The cassette housingis secured in the vehicle in the region of the backrest arrangementapproximately level with a vehicle sill line of the vehicle body and thevehicle interior.

The covering tarpaulin 2 has, on its end region which is in front in theextension direction, a functional profile in the form of a dimensionallystable extension bar 3 which extends over the entire width of thecovering tarpaulin 2 transversely with respect to the extensiondirection and protrudes outwards on both sides over a respective sideedge region of the covering tarpaulin 2. These outwardly protrudingregions are end regions 4 of the extension bar 3. In addition, adimensionally stable contour part (not described specifically) which, inthe extended state of the covering tarpaulin 2, closes a free spacewhich still remains between the tailgate and the extension bar 3, isconnected to the extension bar 3.

In its covering state, the covering tarpaulin 2 is drawn approximatelyhorizontally out of the cassette housing towards the rear of the vehicleand is secured releasably in mounts 7 a secured on the vehicle,preferably by fitting them in. The restoring force of the restoringspring arrangement which acts on the winding shaft tightens the coveringtarpaulin 2 in its fitted-in covering position. In order to fix thecovering tarpaulin 2 in its extended functional position, the endregions 4 of the extension bar 3 are fitted into the mounts 7 a on thevehicle and are inevitably guided there in groove-shaped profiled guidestructures 7 b which, placed approximately level with the vehicle silledge, extend obliquely upwards along rear-side body side pillars of thevehicle body into a roof frame region. The mounts 7 a which are securedon the vehicle are also provided level with the rear-side body pillarregions in side wall panelings 5 on both sides of the tailgate. Themounts 7 a on the vehicle are designed as guide groove sections whichare curved in the manner of a chicane and are open in their lower endregion in such a manner that the end regions 4 of the extension bar 3can inevitably be introduced into these mounts 7 a during an extensionmovement of the covering tarpaulin 2.

The groove-shaped profiled guide structures 7 b are preferably alsoarranged spatially inside paneling parts 6 above the vehicle sill linealong the rear-side body side pillars in such a manner that the profiledguide structures 7 b do not protrude over an interior paneling contourfacing the center of the interior. The profiled guide structures 7 b arefitted flush into the interior paneling. The chicane-like guide groovesections 7 a on each longitudinal side of the vehicle are adjoinedupward by the profiled guide structure 7 b which extends obliquelyupward and forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Theextension bar 3 would be forced forward and upward, with its end regions4 along these profiled guide structures 7 b, by the acting restoringforce of the restoring spring arrangement of the winding shaft. In orderto prevent this, a blocking element 11 is provided approximately levelwith the vehicle sill edge, which blocking element, in its blockingposition, projects into the particular profiled guide structure 7 b andforms a form-fitting stop for the extension bar 3 on each end region 4.The two blocking elements 11 in the opposite profiled structures 7 b aremounted movably between the blocking position and a release position. Inorder to transfer the blocking elements 11 from their blocking positioninto the release position, in which they are moved out of the guidespace of each profiled guide structure 7 b, each blocking element 11 isassigned a control element (not illustrated specifically). The controlelements are activated jointly or in synchronized fashion by a controlunit in order to permit a simultaneous release or a simultaneoustransfer of the blocking elements 11 into the blocking position.

In order to permit an extremely smooth-running movement of the endregion 4 in the profiled guide structures 7 b and thus to ensure that,after the end regions 4 have been released, the restoring force of therestoring spring arrangement of the winding shaft is sufficient in everycase to transfer the extension bar 3 and therefore the coveringtarpaulin 2 into an upper comfort position in an upper, front end regionof the profiled guide structures 7 b, both end regions 4 of theextension bar 3 are provided with rolling elements 9, 10 which roll atleast temporarily on some sections along upper and lower guide surfacesF₁, F₂. The two rolling elements 9, 10 are designed as plastic rollersand are mounted on the end region 4 in a manner such that they canrotate about mutually parallel axes of rotation and are orientedparallel or coaxially with a central longitudinal axis of the extensionbar 3. The two rolling elements 9, 10 protrude at least in some sectionsbeyond the circumferential contour of the end region 4 in order toensure that each end region 4 is supported on the guide surfaces F₁, F₂of the particular profiled guide structure 7 b exclusively via therolling elements 9, 10 without an outer contour section of theparticular end region 4 additionally also coming into sliding contactagainst one of the guide surfaces of the profiled guide structure 7 b.

The rolling element 9 is mounted in a supporting section 8 of the endregion 4 which has a slot- or groove-like mount in which to embed therolling element 9. The supporting section 8 supports the rolling element9 eccentrically with respect to a central longitudinal axis of theextension bar. The supporting section 8 is connected rigidly to the endregion 4 or is an integral extension of the end region 4.

The second rolling element 10 is mounted on the end side of the endregion 4 and therefore on the supporting section 8 and has a diameter ofsuch a size that the rolling element 10 can be supported simultaneouslyon the upper guide surface F₁ and a stop surface of the blocking element11. However, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 3, the diameter ofthe rolling element 10 is smaller than the height of the profiled guidestructure 7 b, with the result that the rolling element 10, in itsbearing position against the blocking element 11 and the upper guidesurface F₁, is kept at a distance from the lower guide surface F₂. Ascan also be seen with reference to FIG. 3, the axes of rotation of therolling elements 9, 10 are offset with respect to one another radiallyand in the circumferential direction relative to a central longitudinalaxis of the extension bar 3 and therefore of the end region 4. Therolling element 9 is, in particular, therefore arranged eccentricallywith respect to the central longitudinal axis of the extension bar 3.This design is expedient, since the previously described, dimensionallystable contour part, which is positioned against the extension bar 3toward the rear of the vehicle, exerts a tilting movement on theextension bar 3 and also on the end regions 4. Owing to the fact thatthe rolling elements 9, 10 which are offset with respect to each otherare provided, this tilting movement inevitably results in the outerrolling element 10 being supported in a stable manner on the upper guidesurface F₁ and the lower rolling element 9 being supported in a stablemanner on the lower guide surface F₂. As a result, after the extensionbar is released by the blocking element 11 being removed, a stable,play-free rolling movement of each end region 4 along the profiled guidestructures 7 b is achieved. The stable guidance of the extension barbecause of the rolling elements 9, 10 bearing on the upper and lowersides means that the dimensionally stable contour part is held in astable, constant tilting position during the entire movement travel ofthe extension bar obliquely upward.

In order to transfer the covering tarpaulin 2 from a rest position, inwhich it is wound up in the cassette housing, into the coveringposition, the covering tarpaulin 2 is extended approximatelyhorizontally to the rear by hand. A handle element or a recessed grip ispreferably provided here (in a manner not illustrated specifically) inthe region of the contour part and facilitates the grasping of thecovering tarpaulin 2 by hand. In the rear region of the loading space 1,the end regions 4 are introduced into the open regions of the guidegroove sections 7 a, which regions are arranged on the opposite sidewalls of the loading space 2, are in each case guided upward via thechicanes illustrated in FIG. 2, and are then let go of or released bythe corresponding operator removing his hand from the contour part. Theremoval of the manual operating force causes the restoring force of therestoring spring arrangement of the winding shaft to exert a tensileload on the covering tarpaulin 2 in the winding-up direction, as aresult of which the end regions 4 of the extension bar 3 are pressedagainst the blocking elements 11. The blocking elements 11 arepositioned in their blocking position approximately level with thevehicle sill line, so that, in the stable position, the coveringtarpaulin 2 is in an approximately horizontally extended covering state.If the tailgate or preferably an upper window part of the tailgate isthen opened, each blocking element is activated together with theactuation, i.e. the opening, of the tailgate lock, and moves into itsrelease position, as a result of which the restoring force acting in thewinding-up direction on the covering tarpaulin 2 moves the extension bar3 and the end regions 4 forward and upward along the profiled guidestructures 7 b as far as the front, upper end region of the profiledguide structures 7 b. In this position, the covering tarpaulin 2 forms acomfort position, since the loading-space region situated under thecovering tarpaulin 2 is easily accessible from the opened part of thetailgate. As soon as the operator no longer requires access to theloading space 1, the operator returns the covering tarpaulin 2 back intothe horizontal covering position again by hand. As the end region 4 isguided past the blocking elements 11, the latter automatically snap intotheir blocking position again, so that the stable covering position forthe covering tarpaulin 2 is reached again. The tailgate part, preferablythe window part, can then be closed.

In the case of exemplary embodiments of the invention that are notillustrated, semi-automatic processes of moving the covering tarpaulin 2are provided. In the case of embodiments of this type, the return againof the covering tarpaulin 2 from its upper comfort position into thecovering position takes place by means of driving means, so that amanual operation or a manual return of the covering tarpaulin into thecovering position is no longer required. In the case of embodiments ofthis type, it is also possible for flanking profiled guide structures toalready be assigned along the horizontal extension movement of thecovering tarpaulin 2, in which structures the end regions which areprovided with the rolling elements run. These horizontal profiled guidestructures are preferably also provided with driving means in order topermit an automatic transfer of the covering tarpaulin into the coveringposition. In embodiments of this type, a manual operation can bedispensed with.

In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 4, a covering tarpaulin2 a is provided which, analogously to the embodiment according to FIGS.1 to 3, is held in a manner such that it can be wound up and unwound ona winding shaft of a cassette housing or in a similar accommodatingdevice. The covering tarpaulin 2 a is also provided in its end regionwhich is in front in the extension direction with an extension bar whichis assigned a dimensionally stable contour part. The extension bar has arectangular cross-sectional profile. The extension bar is guided withits opposite end regions 4 a in horizontal, rail-like profiled guidestructures 7 c in a vehicle interior (not illustrated specifically). Theprofiled guide structure 7 c has a lower guide surface F₃, an upperguide surface F₄ and an outer guide surface F₅. All three guide surfacesF₃ to F₅ are of flat design and are joined to one another orthogonallyin a manner similar to a C-profile. Each guide surface F₃ to F₅ isassigned a respective rolling element 12 to 14 on the end region 4 a.The rolling elements 12 to 14 have axes of rotation which are parallelin each case to the guide surfaces F₃ to F₅, and are mounted in apartially recessed manner in the outer contour of the end region 4 a.All of the rolling elements are of cylindrical design. A lower rollingelement 12 is mounted on a front edge of the end region 4 a in theextension direction, an upper rolling element 14 is mounted on an upperand rear edge of the end region 4 a in the extension direction and theouter rolling element 13 is mounted on the end surface of the end region4 a. In addition, the end regions 4 a are mounted in a telescopicallymovable manner relative to the extension strip, in accordance with thedouble arrow illustrated in FIG. 4, so that they can be displacedcoaxially within certain limits. As a result, a change in the length ofthe extension bar is made possible. This embodiment is particularlyadvantageous if the opposite profiled guide structures 7 c do not extendparallel to one another, but rather change their distance from eachother over the course of their length. The profiles of the profiledguide structures can therefore taper or widen relative to one another.The end regions 4 a are acted upon by a force, are preferably loaded bya compression spring, outward along the extension bar by means of asupporting-force device in order to press the end surface and thereforethe outer rolling element 13 of each end region 4 a permanently againstthe lateral guide surface F₅. As a result, the particular end region 4 aautomatically perceives profiles of the profiled guide structure 7 cwhich curve inward or outward and adapts accordingly.

In the case of the exemplary embodiments illustrated, loading-spacecoverings are provided as the functional units. However, it is alsopossible to provide other types of functional units for a vehicleinterior, which units have at least one functional profile which can bedisplaced along profiled guide structures within the vehicle interior.In particular, separating nets or separating structures of differentdesign which can be extended approximately vertically upward into aprotective position and in which a loading space is separated from apassenger space are suitable as functional units. Also pocket-likehanging mounts which are arranged displaceably in the loading space maybe formed by functional units according to the invention. The same alsoapplied to segmentation parts which are dimensionally stable at least insome sections and which can be displaced in the corresponding profiledfunctional structures within the loading space in order to providevariable space sections.

1. A functional unit for a vehicle interior, having a dimensionallystable functional profile which has two mutually opposite end regionswhich are arranged in a longitudinally movable manner along profiledguide structures arranged in the vehicle interior, wherein each endregion (4, 4 a) is provided with at least one rolling element (9, 10; 12to 14), which is mounted on the end region (4, 4 a) in a manner that itcan rotate about at least one axis of rotation such that, during alongitudinal movement of the end region (4, 4 a), the rolling element(9, 10; 12 to 14) runs along at least one surface region (F₁ to F₅) ofthe associated profiled guide structure (7 b, 7 c).
 2. The functionalunit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of rollingelements (9, 10; 12 to 14) having mutually parallel or orthogonal axesof rotation are provided in each end region (4, 4 a) and are assigned ineach case to different spatial surface regions (F₁ to F₅) of eachprofiled guide structure (7 b, 7 c) to provide a supporting or rollingbearing.
 3. The functional unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein at leastone rolling element (10, 13) is arranged in the end side of the endregion (4, 4 a).
 4. The functional unit as claimed in claim 2, whereinat least one rolling element (9, 12, 14) is arranged on the longitudinalside of the end region (4, 4 a).
 5. The functional unit as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least one end region (4 a) can be displacedtelescopically along a longitudinal axis of the functional profile. 6.The functional unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein a supporting-forcedevice acts on the end region (4 a) in at least one axial direction ofthe longitudinal axis of the profile.